eNews &middot; August 2015

What's New

All summer long, millions across the country are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To help mark the occasion, PEAT published a blog post by policy thought leader Bobby Silverstein on the ADA's past and future impact on accessible workplace technology. "As technology has become an essential element of everyday living”, he noted, “the ADA is now increasingly playing a critical role in ensuring equal employment opportunity by ensuring the accessibility of information and communication technologies (ICT).”

PEATworks.org Has a New Look

PEAT is pleased to announce some visual and structural enhancements to our online home, PEATworks.org. Featuring an updated look and navigation, the website makes it easier than ever to locate resources and join the conversation around accessible technology in the workplace. Please visit the updated PEATworks.org and let us know what you think of the changes!

Save the Date

There's still time to register for the next PEAT Talk, part of our monthly speaker series showcasing people and innovations that are advancing accessible technology in the workplace. Join us for our August 18 chat with Adam Streets, who will discuss GettingHired's accessible platform for job seekers and user feedback.

Mark your calendar now for our September PEAT Talk, which will feature a panel discussion by state accessibility CIOs. This discussion will explore a new approach states are using to help achieve higher levels of accessibility in state government products and services.

The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) is a multi-faceted initiative promoting the employment, retention, and career advancement of people with disabilities through the development, adoption, and promotion of accessible technology. To learn more, visit www.PEATworks.org.

In Focus

With most of today's employers using some form of web recruiting to evaluate and hire job applicants, it's more important than ever for organizations to understand why accessibility matters to the "eRecruiting" phase of the employment lifecycle. This summer, PEAT concluded its national survey on user experiences related to the accessibility of online job applications and other eRecruiting tools. Check out our new infographic summarizing the survey results, and stay tuned as PEAT develops new tools and resources related to this critical issue.

Lainey Feingold is a nationally-recognized disability rights lawyer known for negotiating landmark settlement agreements addressing accessible technology and pioneering the collaborative advocacy and dispute resolution method known as “Structured Negotiations." PEAT recently spoke with Feingold about her work around digital accessibility and its impact on the employment of people with disabilities.

PEAT is funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Grant #OD-23864-12-75-451. PEAT material does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.